Apparatus for controlling use of a firearm

ABSTRACT

A firearm security mechanism for use with a firearm to prevent unauthorized use of the firearm. The mechanism includes a scanning unit having a camera that obtains unique eye characteristics of a user&#39;s eye and sends that data to a central processing unit. The central processing unit compares the data to data representing the unique eye characteristics of an authorized users eye stored in a memory storage device. If the obtained data and the previously stored authorized user data match, a signal is transmitted to a latch mechanism that unlocks the trigger mechanism enabling discharge of the firearm.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present with the invention relates to firearms and firearm security and more specifically to a security mechanism that utilizes an identification system that obtains individually unique eye characteristics to identify the user of the firearm. Upon recognition of an authorized user, the firearm switches from a safe mode to a fire mode wherein the firearm can be discharged.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] Gun safety or security is of paramount concern in today's society. Much of the gun violence occurring in the world in today results from the use of firearms by unauthorized individuals. Typically, an individual purchases a firearm from a licensed firearms agent or distributor. The individual most often secures a permit from a local board or regulatory agency. In this manner, the firearm is then registered to a certain individual. That individual then becomes an authorized user of the firearm. Other individuals may also be authorized users of the firearm. Occasionally, the firearm falls into the hands of an unauthorized user. In many cases, firearms are stolen for use in criminal activity. Additionally, other unauthorized individuals such as children or untrained users sometimes obtain access to the firearm and may discharge the firearm causing harm to themselves or others.

[0005] Accordingly, while education remains a primary tool in the crusade for safe firearm use, various systems and methods are often utilized to secure firearms such as trigger locks and firearm safes. Additionally, identification systems have been developed that utilize voice or fingerprint recognition to determine if an individual attempting to discharge a firearm is an authorized user also exist. While such systems are adequate in many instances, there continues to be a need for a firearm security system that prevents unauthorized users such as criminals, children, or other untrained users from discharging a firearm. Accordingly, there is a need for a firearm security mechanism that renders a firearm useless to anyone but an authorized user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The present invention is a firearm security mechanism for use with a firearm to prevent unauthorized use of the firearm. The mechanism includes a firearm that discharges a projectile through a barrel upon actuation of a firing mechanism. The firing mechanism typically includes a trigger and trigger linkage whereby movement of the trigger causes the firing mechanism to discharge the firearm. The firearm security mechanism is installed on the firearm to prevent discharge of the firearm by anyone other then an authorized user. The firearm security mechanism includes a scanning unit having a camera that scans and captures the unique eye characteristics of a user's eye, compiles data based on these unique characteristics and transmits the data to a central processing unit. The central processing unit compares the transmitted data to data stored in a memory device that was obtained from and represents the unique eye characteristics of an authorized user. If the scanned data and the previously stored authorized user data match than a signal is transmitted to a latch mechanism that releases the trigger enabling discharge of the firearm.

[0007] Accordingly, the firing mechanism is disabled until the user's eye is scanned and the user is recognized as an authorized user of the firearm. Thus, the firearm security mechanism prevents unauthorized use of the firearm especially if the firearm comes into the hands of children, criminals or other unauthorized or untrained users.

[0008] Other features and advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated, as the same becomes better understood after reading the subsequent description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a firearm, partially broken away, illustrating a firearm security mechanism according to the present invention;

[0010]FIG. 2 is a side view of the present invention with portions removed for clarity;

[0011]FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the circuitry of the firearm security mechanism according to the present invention; and

[0012]FIG. 4 is a side view of the firearm security mechanism according to the present invention shown in use with a revolver style firearm.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

[0013] Turning now to FIGS. 1-4 a firearm security mechanism, seen generally at 10, for controlling unauthorized use of a firearm 12 is shown. The firearm 12 is illustrated as a semi automatic pistol. The firearm 12 includes a handle 14 and a barrel 16. Also included is a firing mechanism, seen generally at 18, including a trigger 20 and trigger linkage to actuate a hammer 22 used to strike a firing pin (not shown) to discharge the firearm 12. Most firearms include a safety 23. The safety 23 is typically a moveable switch or pin member mounted on the firearm 12 that engages the trigger 20. A user moves the safety 23 from an on or safe position to an off or fire position. The safety 23 is unable to discern whether the user of the firearm 12 is an authorized user; simply put any individual can pick up the firearm 12, disengage the safety and discharge the firearm 12. Accordingly, a firearm 12 utilizing a firearm security mechanism 10 for controlling the use of a firearm 12 according to the present invention reduces the opportunity for an unauthorized user, such as a criminal, child or unqualified or untrained individual from using the firearm 12.

[0014] Notwithstanding the above description of a conventional firearm, the term firearm should be broadly construed to mean any type of weapon or device capable of launching, discharging or propelling a projectile, regardless of the method or manner used to propel the projectile. As set forth herein, the firearm security mechanism 10 operates to prevent unauthorized use of any type of firearm or weapon.

[0015] The firearm security mechanism 10 includes a scanning unit 30 attached or connected to the firearm 12. The scanning unit 30 includes a scanner or camera 32. Upon initialization, the camera 32 captures and image of the user's eye to obtain data relating to certain unique individual physiological characteristics of the user's eye. These characteristics are then used, as set forth more fully herein, to verify the identity of the user. Eye recognition technology is known in the art and provides accurate identification of an individual based on visible characteristics of the individual's eye, including those of the individual's retina or iris. While, as set forth herein, the present invention captures the unique characteristics of an individual's iris, it is also contemplated that the invention may also capture and take advantage of the unique characteristics of an individual's retina through a retinal scan.

[0016] Accordingly, the camera 32 captures the unique characteristics of an individual's iris. Specifically, the camera 32, through the lens 33, captures an image of the surface layer of the user's eye. The surface layer of the eye, especially that of the iris, is composed in a distinctive pattern. Thus, the present invention utilizes the camera 32 to gather data relating to the specific pattern of the individual's iris. The gathered data is sent to a central processing unit 34 along a data line 35.

[0017] A two-way data bus 37 connects the central processor unit 34 to a memory storage device 36. The memory storage device 36 stores information or data corresponding to the unique characteristics of the iris of an authorized user of the firearm 12. Upon receiving information or data obtained from the camera 32 corresponding to the unique iris characteristics of the potential user of the firearm 12, the central processing unit 34 compares the data to the unique iris characteristic data of an authorized user stored in the memory storage device 36. If a suitable match is made between the respective data, then an unlatch signal is sent along data line 39 from the central processing unit 34 to a latch mechanism 38. As shown herein, the latch mechanism 38 engages and secures the trigger 20 to prevent discharge of the firearm 12. Other latch mechanisms could also be used. For instance, the latch mechanism could prevent actuation of the firing pin or prevent the hammer 22 from striking the firing pin. It should be understood that the purpose of the latch mechanism 38 is to prevent discharge of the firearm 12, thus, any mechanism that does so comes within the scope of the invention. Upon receiving an unlatch signal from the central processing unit 34, the latch mechanism 38 moves a locking member 44 from a first, locked position wherein the locking member 44 engages and prevents movement of the trigger 20, and correspondingly, discharge of the firearm to a second, unlocked position wherein the locking member 44 is disengage from the trigger 20 whereby the trigger 20 can be depressed to discharge the firearm 12.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, a power supply 40 is used to power of the camera 32, central processing unit 34, memory storage device 36 and latch mechanism 38 through power supply lines 41. The power supply 40 may be either replaceable or rechargeable. In the preferred embodiment, when the user unlocks the firearm 12 safety, it activates a switch that couples the power supply 40 to the camera 32. When the firearm 12 safety is returned to the safe mode, the central processing unit 34 sends a signal along data line 43 to shut off the power to the camera 32 and other components to conserve the power supply 40. Additionally, the central processing unit 34 is programmable such that the camera 32 is enabled for a set time period starting when the safety 23 is moved to the unlocked position. After the set time has passed, the camera 32 is turned off and cannot be enabled or turned on until the safety 23 is switched to the fire position after being first returned to the safe position.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 1, the latch mechanism 38 includes a solenoid 42 that moves the locking member 44. The locking member 44 is biased in a first, locked position in order to prevent discharge of the firearm 12. Upon actuation of the solenoid 42, the locking member 44 is withdrawn and the trigger 20 is no longer held and can be moved to discharge the firearm 12. It should be understood that there are other mechanisms suitable, upon receiving a disengage signal from the central processing unit 34, to release the trigger 20 for movement to discharge the firearm 12. Such mechanisms are suitable for use with the present invention.

[0020] In addition, the memory storage device 36 may include a separate memory card 46 that may be withdrawn from the firearm security mechanism 10. This provides an additional safety feature, as the firearm 12 is inoperable unless the memory card 46 is inserted, in the direction shown by arrow 50, into a memory card reader 48 forming a portion of the memory storage device 36. The memory card 46 can be programmed either through use of the camera 32 or with a separate or auxiliary scanner or camera. For instance, upon purchasing the firearm 12, an individual or any other authorized user could use a separate, stand-alone scanner or camera to input the authorized user's iris identification data onto the memory card 46. This information could be recorded prior to or at the same time the authorized user registers the firearm 12.

[0021] Finally, the firearm security mechanism 10 according to the present invention also provides fail-safe features. For instance, if power is lost, then the latch mechanism 38 remains engaged and the firearm 12 cannot be discharged. If the data obtained by the camera 32 does not match the stored data relating to an authorized user then, once again, the latch mechanism 38 remains engaged. Finally, if any part of the firearm security mechanism 10 is ever damaged, than the latch mechanism 38 remains engaged. Further, the central processing unit 36 can be programmed such that the firearm 12 is held or maintained in the enabled or discharge mode for a set time period once the data match, indicating that the weapon is being used by an authorized user, is made. In addition, the central processing unit 36 can be programmed such that the firearm 12 is only enabled upon receipt of a continuously matching signal from the camera 32. That is only when the firearm 12 is held in an aiming position and the camera 32 continues to scan or capture data from the user's eye and send such data to the central processing unit 34.

[0022] The invention has been described in an illustrative manner. It is to be understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation.

[0023] Many modifications and variations of the invention are possible in light of the above teachings. Therefore, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described. 

I claim
 1. A firearm security mechanism for use with a firearm to prevent use of the firearm by an unauthorized user comprising: a firing mechanism located on the firearm, said firing mechanism including a trigger that operates to discharge the firearm; a latch mechanism located on the firearm, said latch mechanism including a locking member, said locking member movable between a first position wherein said firing mechanism is locked to prevent discharge of the firearm and a second position wherein said firing mechanism is unlocked such that the firearm can be discharged; a scanning unit, said scanning unit located on the firearm and operable to scan a user's eye for unique characteristics used to identify the user, said scanning unit operative to generate an output signal based on data obtained by said scanning unit; a memory storage device, said memory storage device capable of storing data relating to an authorized user's unique eye characteristics; a central processing unit operative to receive said output signal and compare said output signal to said data stored in said memory storage device, said central processing unit operative to send a signal to said latch mechanism to urge said latch mechanism to said second, unlocked position enabling discharge of the firearm when said output signal from said scanning unit matches the data of an authorized user stored in said memory storage device.
 2. A firearm security mechanism as set forth in claim 1 wherein said scanning unit scans a user's eye to obtain data regarding unique characteristics of the iris of the user's eye.
 3. A firearm security mechanism as set forth in claim 1 wherein said scanning unit includes a camera, said camera secured to the firearm and operative to capture data regarding unique characteristics of the user's eye.
 4. A firearm security mechanism as set forth in claim 3 wherein said camera obtains images of the iris of the user's eye to obtain data regarding unique characteristics of the user's eye.
 5. A firearm security mechanism as set forth in claim 1 wherein said memory storage device includes a memory storage card and a card reader, said card reader secured to the firearm and said memory card having data relating to an authorized users unique eye characteristics contained thereon, said memory card being removable from said card reader.
 6. A firearm security mechanism as set forth in claim 1 wherein said firearm security mechanism further includes a power source electrically connected to and operative to power said scanning unit and said central processor unit.
 7. A firearm security mechanism as set forth in claim 1 wherein said locking member is electronically controlled by said central processing unit and engages said the trigger to prevent movement of said trigger.
 8. A firearm security mechanism as set forth in claim 7 wherein said locking mechanism includes a solenoid, said solenoid operative to move said locking member from a first position wherein said trigger is prevented from movement and a second position wherein said trigger is movable to discharge the firearm.
 9. A method for controlling operation of a firearm comprising the steps of: providing a firearm; connecting a scanning unit to said firearm; scanning a user's eye with said scanning unit for unique characteristics to identify a user; generating output data based on said scan and sending said output data to a central processing unit; storing data relating to an authorized user's unique eye characteristics; comparing said output data with said stored data to determine if said output data matches said stored data; generating a release signal when said output data matches said stored data; and sending said release signal to a latch mechanism, said latch mechanism upon receiving said release signal moving a locking member to an unlocked position enabling discharge of said firearm.
 10. A method for controlling operation of a firearm as set forth in claim 9 wherein the step of scanning the user's eye, includes the step of obtaining an image of the iris of the user's eye.
 11. A method for controlling operation of a firearm as set forth in claim 9 wherein the step of storing data includes providing a memory card and a memory card reader; and storing said authorized user data on said memory card and inserting said memory card into said card reader to allow access to said stored authorized user data.
 12. A method for controlling operation of a firearm as set forth in claim 9 wherein the step of generating a release signal when said output data matches said stored data includes the step of continually sending said release signal to said latch mechanism; and holding said locking member in said unlocked position as long as said release signal is continuously received by said latch mechanism.
 13. A method for controlling operation of a firearm as set forth in claim 9 wherein the step of sending a release signal to said latch mechanism includes holding said locking member in said unlocked position for a predetermined period of time after said release signal is first received by said latch mechanism. 